Start Here · Buncombe County
Compare Your Care Options
By Asheville Senior Care Guide · Updated July 2026
“Senior care” is not one thing. It is a range of options, from a few hours of help at home to round-the-clock medical care, and the right choice depends on how much help is needed, whether that help is medical, and how it gets paid for. This page lays them all out side by side so you can find your starting point, then dig into the detailed guide for whichever fits.
Three questions that narrow it down fast
1. How much daily help is needed? A little (reminders, errands, some cooking) points toward in-home care or independent living. A lot (help with bathing, dressing, mobility) points toward assisted living or an adult care home. Constant supervision or medical needs point toward memory care or skilled nursing.
2. Is the need medical or just daily living? Help with the tasks of daily life is custodial care, and Medicare does not pay for it. Active nursing, wound care, or rehab is medical care, which Medicare may cover short-term. This single distinction drives who pays.
3. Home or a community? Many families start at home and move to a facility only when in-home care can no longer keep someone safe, or when around-the-clock care would cost more than a community.
Every option, side by side
Click any care type to open its full Buncombe County guide, with local costs, providers, and how to pay.
| Care Type | Best for | Medical care | Relative cost | Typically paid by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-Home Care | Staying at home with help for daily tasks | Non-medical (home health adds medical) | Low to high (by hours) | Private pay, LTC insurance, VA, Medicaid waiver |
| Adult Day Services | Daytime supervision and caregiver respite | Some health monitoring | Low | Private pay, VA, Medicaid |
| Independent Living | Active seniors wanting less upkeep | None | Moderate | Private pay |
| Assisted Living | Help with daily tasks in a community | Custodial + light health | Moderate to high | Private pay, NC Special Assistance |
| Adult Care Homes | Smaller-scale residential assisted living | Custodial | Moderate | Private pay, NC Special Assistance |
| Memory Care | Dementia and Alzheimer’s needs | Specialized custodial | High | Private pay, some Special Assistance |
| Skilled Nursing | 24/7 medical care and rehab | Full medical | Highest | Medicare (short-term), Medicaid, private |
| CCRCs | Planning to age in one place | Ranges by level | Entry fee + monthly | Private pay |
| Hospice | Comfort care in the final months | Medical comfort care | Covered | Medicare, Medicaid, most insurance |
Not sure where you land? That is the most common place to be. Tell us a little about the situation and a local guide will help you sort it out, at no cost. Or browse the Facility Directory to see every licensed option in the county.
Get free help choosing
Tell us about your situation and a local guide will help you match it to the right level of care. Free, and no sales pressure.
Frequently asked questions
What are the types of senior care?
The main levels are in-home care, independent living, assisted living, adult care homes, memory care, skilled nursing, and hospice, ranging from a few hours of help to full-time medical care.
What is the difference between custodial and medical care?
Custodial care is help with daily living such as bathing, dressing, and meals, and is not covered by Medicare. Medical care is nursing and rehabilitation, which Medicare may cover short-term.